Middle Falls
Hillsborough County, New Hampshire
Your visit at a glance
- Waterfall height
- Not recorded
- Location
- Hillsborough County, New Hampshire
- Access status
- Conservation land trail beside the brook
- The walk
- About 2.5 miles each way from Purgatory Road; shorter from Dow Road
- Ground & access
- Easy to moderate. Rocks and roots near the falls and some minor scrambles for close views.
Middle Falls is a 25-foot funnel in a narrow gorge on Purgatory Brook, between Lower and Upper Purgatory Falls, on conserved land in Mont Vernon and Lyndeborough. Brook Trail: from the small trailhead lot on Purgatory Road, the trail passes Lower Purgatory Falls and follows the brook north, staying close to the water, with little climbing, to Middle Falls; the Upper Falls are a short distance beyond. Avoid an unmarked side path by staying near the brook. Old Dow Road route: from the large lot at the end of paved Dow Road, follow the old rocky road down to the brook for Middle and Upper Falls; the start is not signed, so carry a map.
Plan your visit
Purgatory Falls Brook Preserve (Mont Vernon and Lyndeborough), Brook Trail from Purgatory Road or Old Dow Road route to Middle Purgatory Falls
Trailspotting gives 5.1 miles out and back on the Brook Trail from Purgatory Road and 2.6 miles out and back on the Old Dow Road route, both to the Upper Falls; Middle Falls is a short distance before the Upper Falls.
Easy to moderate. Rocks and roots near the falls and some minor scrambles for close views.
Where to start
Lower trailhead: small dirt and gravel lot on the left of Purgatory Road, 0.5 miles north of North River Road; it holds about six cars and fills on busy days. Published coordinates N 42 51.526, W 71 41.677. Or the large lot at the end of paved Dow Road in Mont Vernon. Park only in lots.
Timing & water
The falls are best after wet weather.
Before you go
No fee. Trailspotting marks the parking as free.
Visitor informationVisit sources
More waterfalls nearby
Within 40 straight-line miles. Road and trail distances will differ.
- Upper FallsConservation area trails to a gorge waterfallHillsborough County, NH0.2 miN
- Purgatory Lower FallsConserved land trail; short walk; roadside parking restrictedHillsborough County, NH1.7 miS
- Senter FallsLand trust loop trail; very small roadside parkingHillsborough County, NH3.9 miNW
- Bonner FallsHillsborough County, NH7.1 miW
- Brennan FallsConservation reserve trail; easy walkHillsborough County, NH9.8 miNW
- Wildcat FallsTown conservation area trail; short easy walk from the main lotHillsborough County, NH10 miE
- The FallsPartial guide: the exact trail and distance to the falls are not published5 ft (1.5 m) · Hillsborough County, NH11 miSE
- Trap FallsShort walk in a state forest; parking spot and fees unconfirmed10 ft (3 m) · Middlesex County, MA15 miS
- Gleason FallsPartial: roadside falls on private land; public welcome per source, current permission not confirmedHillsborough County, NH22 miNW